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Bill making Louisiana driver's licenses valid six years heads to Bobby Jindal's desk

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Louisiana driver's licenses will stay valid for six years instead of four if Gov. Bobby Jindal signs legislation approved Thursday, May 29, 2014, by the Louisiana Legislature into law.
(Lenny Ignelzi, The Associated Press)

At-a-Glance: Legislation intended to shorten lines at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles by giving motorists an additional two years before their driver's licenses expire is headed to Gov. Bobby Jindal's desk to become law. The Senate on Thursday (May 29) agreed to any changes made to the bill in the House.

The bill: Senate Bill 582, sponsored by Sen. Dan Claitor, R-Baton Rouge, extends the length of time Louisiana driver's licenses remain valid from four to six years.

Licensing fees will increase by 50 percent to adjust for the stretching out of the renewal period. The basic license fees for regular Class E licenses will increase from $28.50 to $42.75. Yearly costs will remain the same.

The debate: Claitor said the change in law would help reduce the wait time at the OMV.

The vote: The Senate unanimously concurred changes to the bill.

Next up: Heads to Jindal's desk for a signature.

Lagniappe: A January report said OMV wait times in Louisiana were more than an hour and a half in some places after department staffing was cut amid budget concerns.

Bottom line: The law, if signed, goes into effect July 1, 2015. The extended renewal period will only apply to licenses issued or renewed after that date.